Marian Anderson

2 5.4

An American singer with a deep, rich voice who is known for helping the civil rights movement

proper noun
/ˈmɛəriən ˈændərsən/

: Marian Anderson

The 1939 concert by Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial became a landmark event in civil rights history.

Examples

Did you know Marian Anderson was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera?
Marian Anderson broke barriers as the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Music students still study recordings of Marian Anderson for her rich, expressive vocal talent.
Many people admire Marian Anderson for her incredible voice.
Marian Anderson became the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, showcasing her talent to a diverse audience.
During her career, Marian Anderson captivated audiences with her soulful renditions of spirituals and classical music.
The legacy of Marian Anderson continues to inspire new generations of singers and advocates for civil rights.

Surface Forms

Marian Anderson main

Morphology

Marian + Anderson

This is a proper name referring to a specific person; the constituents 'Marian' and 'Anderson' are arbitrary name forms with no lexical meaning that would indicate 'American contralto' or the biographical information. A B1 learner who knows the name parts would not be able to derive the MWE's referent or significance from the constituents, so the expression is non-compositional.

Etymology

Marian Anderson was a famous American singer with a rich, deep voice who became a symbol in the fight for 'civil rights'. In 1939, when she was not allowed to sing in a concert hall because of her race, she gave a free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for thousands of people, and that powerful image is why people remember her name for both great singing and the struggle for 'civil rights'.